Dragon Fire Final Presser

Photos and story by Brett Bonetti

WBA Fighter of the Decade Chris “The Dragon” John (47-0-2, 22 KOs) faced off with Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo (44-0, 27 KOs) at the Dragon Fire final presser at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore today. The presser was hosted by legendary ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr and also featured Hall of Famer Colonel Bob Sheridan.

Marina Bay Sands Senior Vice President of Marketing Mark Juliano was first welcomed to the stage. Mr Juliano thanked the media for attending the press conference and announced that he was very happy to have Dragon Fire World Championship Boxing back at Marina Bay Sands and following a fantastic first event in May this year, looked forward to another successful night this Friday.

The promoters of the event, Angelo Hyder and Raja Sapta Oktohari were also thrilled to back at Marina Bay Sands and will continue to bring the best fights in the world to Singapore.

Colonel Bob Sheridan said he was thrilled to be in Singapore and was amazed with everything at Marina Bay Sands. He said the people of Singapore and the staff at Marina Bay Sands have been so nice to him and can’t wait for Friday night.

Sheridan was also full of praise for Chris John. He said John has been an incredible fighter over the years, one of the best of all time.

“Chris fights and has beaten the best out there including Juan Manuel Marquez and I look forward to Chris joining myself and Jimmy Lennon Jr in the Boxing Hall of Fame in the near future,” Sheridan said.

Chris John will defend his WBA World Featherweight Title for the 17th time against Piriyapinyo this Friday night. “The Dragon” is wary about this fight and says the undefeated Piriyapinyo is a very dangerous opponent. “I will keep my distance when fighting against him and I will maintain my style as a counter boxer,” John said.

Piriyapinyo has knocked out all three opponents he has faced this year and plans to do the same to Chris John. “I have been boxing at Asian level for seven years and I have beaten everyone I have faced, so it is time to test myself against the highest level there is in Chris John,” Piriyapinyo said.

Either way, in this main event title fight, someone’s 0 has got to go!

IBO World Featherweight Champion Daud “Cino” Yordan (29-2, 23 KOs) predicted he will KO his opponent Choijiljavyn “Choi” Tseveenpüre (36-5, 24 KOs) in the co main event. “I want to KO Choi and finish the fight quickly, Choi has never faced an aggressive powerful boxer like me and will struggle against my style,” Yordan said

The 41 year old Choi said age is not a factor and he was ready to win the IBO world featherweight title. Choi’s promoter, Spencer Fearon spoke very confidently about the Mongolian fighter who is based in England and believed he was going to take the belt back to England with them.

Also in attendance at the presser Singapore’s own Mohamad Nor Rizan (5-2, 4 KOs) and China’s Wang Xin Hua (4-3-1) who have a grudge rematch, Syafiq “The Slasher” Samad also from Singapore and Malaysia’s Muhamad Meeraj.